Great performance. ...and all of the sudden, the nay-sayers need to readjust their views of this team. Because if Moreno and/or Rundstrom can play, then we've got a team that has depth and quality at forward and in the midfield. And we've still got options to improve the defense this summer, if need be. How would we look in defense if we were to somehow add a Bocanegra AND a DP? We're a pretty interesting team right now.
The first xi last night was composed of seven guys returning from last year, a draftee, a division ii signing from France, and two guys who other MLS teams had given up on. One of our best players (Benny) was unavailable and the closest things we had to big signings (Lozano and Moreno) were both unavailable. Is it possible that you don't need marquee signings? I know last night is only one game, but it sure looks like Heaps is building a decent MLS team by combing through a lot of unheralded guys to find the type of players he wants, then putting them in situations where they can succeed.
But the fascinating thing to me was not that the Revs turned in the "tight, solid defensive effort" you hoped for, but that Heaps' team displayed creative attacking play when they had the ball. The RB overlaps and gets to the end line where he cross a ball for the LB to finish! Really? This was nothing like the point we stole in LA last year -- the Revs were clearly the better team last night.
Wow! I taped the game and got up this AM to watch it. That was an out of body experience. Here I thought I was going to watch the Revs and a soccer game broke out. Who were those guys who maintained their spacing, ran into dangerous channels and actually made the combination passes? What's up with Rowe? Two shots on goal in half a second and the ball never touches the ground. May have some potential there. SJ and Simms are a very strong combination up the spine. Beckham only showed up in the first half in pictures of him watching the game. Sitting deep didn't cut it with SJ covering. Simms was quiet and excellent. Sene still needs to adjust to the MLS refs, but his touch and vision are fun to watch. I agree with those who say we haven't seen attacking play like this since the glory years. And, remember, that field was slick and wet for us, too. Not an easy setting to move the ball as well as we did. Please, let this not be a fluke!
Congratulations on a well played game and a much deserved win. I don't know what happened to my team last night, but your guys looked great!
He was very good, his versatility is a big plus and gives Heaps a lot of flexibility. Was the perfect fit in the "hole" because he never stood still. Same with Rowe. Started out right but never just stayed there. That's what you want to see, an interchangeable team with an idea of how to play.
I think they were clearly better in the 1st half when they exploited huge gaps in the LA formation. Stephens and Magee added a ton of organization once they were inserted into the game and Soares really had to put on a Superman cape in the 2nd half. I like that the team played positive throughout and that the traffic never became one-way, but LA had more and better chances in the 2nd.
It depends on your definition of "more chances." We actually out shot them in both halves (in terms of shots and shots on target). I was happy to see that Tierney finally had a successful all around outing. He got beat a few times on defense, but he held his own in attack. Rowe and Guy got pushed off the ball a lot. I saw at least 15-20 fouls one both sides of the pitch that just weren't called last night. It was like Ricardo Salazar was on valium. LA is way too physical.
Wait, all I've had to do all this time is just ask? Yes ... yes it did. We were commenting on that at the Garden last night. Wonder why? If this continues, I'll chip in! Well if you're going to list it out that way, LA was missing arguably the best player in the league. Agreed. I thought LA took control for the first 20 or so minutes of the second half, and we had to weather the storm (no pun intended). That was a fun game to watch. I was completely wrong about my expectations for this game, and for at least one game, we looked very solid attacking. It helped that Donovan didn't play, but I'll happily take it. I'm still not ready to say we're a playoff team, but if we can take a point (or 3) in LA ... the expectations will start to rise.
The stats are strikingly even, considering that it looked like Revolution was in complete control. One of the better LA chances (not taken) came after a non-call. I am really having an issue with this. This is an MLS-wide problem; it isn't just Salazar.
I define chances as plays where a team is in imminent danger of scoring (usually just looking for a final ball to connect). Soares snuffed an outrageous number of LA chances in the 2nd half. And you had plays like Cardozo's brain fart, where he mystically managed neither to shoot nor make a simple pass to Keane's feet for what would have been a tap in.
I don't remember us playing that good in at least 2 or 3 years. Maybe evern longer. Very inspiring to watch. Our passing and movement was top notch. I was in shock most of the game actually.
I know they won last week but for me this was Jay's first real win - the Revs looked the better prepared and managed side. This was a great team effort and hopefully a harbinger for the play to come.
A very proud night for the Revolution. Heaps called it possession which I'm not sure I agree with, but I thought they were excellent in how they attacked LA. They were so good at picking out the open teammate and getting him the ball in a good position. Really good movement and aggression. Nice to see so many of the players make positive contributions. I agree Guy did some good things, but he did not look like he had a strikers skill toward getting the ball into the back of the net. I'd rather try someone else as the second striker. Diego must have been seriously bummed at not playing last night, there were so many opportunities. LA fans must be questioning why their team was so out-manned in their defensive end during the first half. That was a poor effort.
Before the season opener I posted that if we were to get 4 pts from the first 4 games, I would be happy. After losing the first 2, getting 4 pts looked tough with the Galaxy this weekend, but they came out and showed that they should not be taken lightly. It will be interesting to see how they do on Thursday in a short week against another top team, although Dallas were dominated Friday. I am more optimistic we can at least grab a point in Frisco! Looking forward to my first Revs game in 2 years on the 14th!
The two biggest improvements on the offensive side of the ball last night compared to last year were the wing play and the ability to get behind the defense. 3 of our 4 goals we've scored have come from crosses outside the box and the other was Alston's ball to Tierney. Last night we actually had our fullbacks join in on the attack and create chances. Rowe, Guy, and Nguyen all showed their ability to attack from the outside and send in a good cross as well as getting behind the Gals defense. Guy's cross on the last goal was just great. I would nominate Rowe for MOTM. He displayed an excellent first touch despite the poor conditions and also had great vision. I also loved when he picked up the ball in midfield he went straight to goal either dribbling or passing. He's going to be a great player and we are very fortunate to have him. And it also looked like the team has actually been practicing and working on their game. Something I did not see last year under Nicol. Kudos to Heaps. Man, it must've been raining Kool-Aid in Carson last night.
Rowe is the type of player you can easily imagine playing in Europe. He'll only get better as the season progresses and it seems Heaps's ideology perfectly suits his skillset.
We always win when it's raining! I love this win. Rowe's goal shows how much of a professional he is already. I've seen so many players give up on the play after hitting it right at the GK. The second goal finally showed us what can happen when Alston makes his darting runs out of the back and into the final third. Tierney hit that ball splendidly. Sene is looking like a really good poacher. He's was quite most of the game, and then heads a ball half an inch inside the goal post. Saunders could have done better, but his little baby face would have been planted into the post. Great team effort all around. LA's best chances came from the weather slipping up McCarthy and Reis. Luckily Buddle is showing why he didn't make it in Europe. it's been a long while since the Revs have put such a big grin on my face.
Agreed - well said. Very solid effort last night from the Revs. We were literally in shock actually. More of this please!
Sene's goal looked like it might've come off the shoulder or chest, I can't quite tell from the camera angle. But I'm happy [Edit] I might have to change my signature, if they keep up their performance.